6 WESTERN LEADER, NOVEMBER 18, 2010
NEWS
2757852AA
Now at
220 Universal Drive extension
(Off Central Park Drive), Henderson
Ph: 836 0029 ALL HOURS
Morrison Funeral
Directors
Family owned and operated
Office, Chapel & Reception lounges
79 Line Road, Glen Innes
Ph: 521 3100
3162079AB
CHOOSE THE
FRAMES YOU
REALLY LOVE.....
Choose the LATEST TECHNOLOGY
lenses. Why settle for less?
Choose quality now... and receive*
$100 OFF
BE QUICK OFFER EXPIRES 30 NOVEMBER 2010
*Present coupon to receive this offer - conditions apply
Westgate Optometrists, PH: 831-0202
or e-mail westopt@ihug.co.nz
Westgate Shopping Centre, Massey,
across from ANZ Bank
Suggestions: Prescription Sunglasses, New Progressives,
Reading/Driving glasses, 2nd/Spare pairs.
SOFA SALE
40% OFF
up to
floor stock
Crest furniture, 24 Bruce McLaren Road
Henderson, 09 8386561
20% discount on fabrics for reupholstery
orders placed before end of January 2011.
TILE LIQUIDATION
SALE
Sat13Nov--Sun21Nov
1000m OF TILES
2
AT $10m OR LESS
2
940 GREAT SOUTH ROAD PENROSE AUCKLAND
www.tileclear.co.nz
40 TO 70% OFF RRP
3270865AA
GET TRAINED
WITH REGENT
REGENT TRAINING CENTRE
...training that works
0800 REGENT or (09) 826 1473
Eligibility Criteria applies
*Computing
*Hairdressing
*Panelbeating
*Carpentry
*Automotive
*Workbased Training
ENROLLING NOW FOR 2011
YOUTH
Singing sisters shoot for the stars
Star power: Amy and Jessie
Wootton of Massey are part of
the StarJam programme, which
gives young people with
disabilities the chance to
develop their talents and
perform, ultimately increasing
their confidence.
By CATHERINE HEALY
Amy and Jessie Wootton are
seasoned performers. They ve
sung at the Halberg Awards,
the New Zealander of the
Year awards and performed
across the Tasman.
Given that they re still at
school and only partially
sighted, the Massey sisters
admit they ve had some
brilliant opportunities.
It s all thanks to an organ-
isation called StarJam.
We get to write our own
songs and sing them, some-
times with harmonies, in dif-
ferent parts, says Amy, 12,
of Whenuapai Primary
School.
Amy and Jessie, 15, attend
a weekly StarJam singing
workshop with other young
singers, all of whom are dis-
abled in some way.
Apparently we see in
shades of grey, Amy says.
Although we wouldn t know,
because we ve never seen
colour. We can t see long-
distance, we can only read
very close up.
StarJam runs various
musical and performance
workshops such as drumming
and dance for children with
all kinds of disabilities. Star-
Jammers get opportunities to
perform throughout the year
-- the idea is that getting on
stage builds confidence.
The workshops improve
their performance skills and
along the way they develop
long-lasting friendships.
Our group has been
together so long now, we ve
really grown together, we re
like a family, Jessie says.
Founder Julie Bartlett was
inspired to create StarJam
when her brother, who has
Down syndrome, made a
great speech at her wedding.
She noticed that her guests
were able to connect with him
because he had the guts to
get up in front of an audience
-- something most people find
difficult to do.
A cast of 85 StarJammers
from all over Auckland are
preparing for their end of
year concert on November 20
at Epsom Girls Grammar.
The $25 tickets are selling
fast. Contact Kiri on
523-3500.
Advent Fair
at school
Families can spend a fes-
tive day out this week-
end at the Titirangi
Rudolf Steiner School s
Advent Fair on Sunday
from 10am to 3pm.
Shop for unique
Christmas decorations
and gifts inspired by
nature. Create your own
advent wreath, Christ-
mas crackers or dipped
candles.
There will be live
music, a cafe and family
fun such as face painting
and puppet shows.
The fair is an import-
ant fundraiser for the
school.
The school is at 5
Helios Place, Titirangi.
Cruisy nights with the Coastguard
Cruises with the Coast-
guard to help familiarise
Kiwis with popular Hau-
raki Gulf anchorages
include Waiheke and
Coromandel on Novem-
ber 30 and Kawau and
Mahurangi on December
7.
Each cruise offers a
full commentary out-
lining what hazards to
look out for, and a num-
ber of safe boating tips,
Coastguard Northern
Region chief executive
officer Dean Lawrence
says.
It also includes an his-
torical account on each
area and information on
additional recreational
activities available at
each location.
People can bring
snacks, and food and
beverages will be avail-
able to purchase.
Volunteers from the
rescue vessel will also be
manning a sausage
sizzle.
Each cruise departs
from the Fullers Down-
town Ferry Terminal at
5.30pm, but can be
boarded from 5pm, and
returns at about 10pm.
The Waiheke-Coro-
mandel cruise is $45 a
person and the Kawau-
Mahurangi $40 per per-
son.
Phone (09) 303-4303
for bookings or visit www.
coastguard.org.nz for
more information.
United on liquor bans
By STEPHEN FORBES
With the festive season
almost here the police
and the council are
joining forces to enforce
liquor bans throughout
west Auckland.
Henderson police
senior sergeant Regan
James says last year
there was a significant
drop in disorder and
violence in the areas
where bans were in
place.
And police are warn-
ing people who break
the law that officers
won t tolerate disorder.
An incident on Auck-
land s North Shore last
weekend highlights
some of the problems
they face.
A large group of
youths were reported to
be drinking at Castor
Bay on Saturday night.
The beach area is
covered by a liquor ban.
When police were
sent to the area at
about 10pm the young
people refused to leave.
Police put in road
blocks and attempted
to disperse the crowd of
about 130 people, but
some of the youths
started throwing bot-
tles.
One person was later
arrested.
The Waitakere City
Council introduced
tougher controls on
liquor in 2008.
This includes 24-
hour liquor bans in
Henderson, New Lynn,
Glen Eden, Titirangi,
Westgate, Green Bay
and Te Atatu Penin-
sula town centres, as
well as overnight
restrictions in a num-
ber of parks through-
out west Auckland
between 7pm and 7am.
The bans also extend
to the possession, or
drinking, of alcohol in
vehicles in the
designated areas.
Liquor has been
banned at Piha over
summer since 2003.
The ban proved to be a
success and it was
extended to include
Ranui Domain, Star-
ling Park, Te Pai Park,
Waikumete Cemetery,
Ceramco Park, Kauri-
lands Domain, Parrs
Park, Harbourview
Reserve, Brains Park,
Taipari Strand, Wai-
kumete Cemetery and
Archibald Park.
Business has a Big Day In
Titirangi village will be
lively this Saturday as
residents get involved in
The Big Day In at the
Titirangi War Memorial
Hall, from 10am to 3pm.
The event is intended
for residents who run
home-based businesses
to promote their work
and network with others.
There will be prizes,
giveaways, entertain-
ment for the children
and free refreshments.
The first 100 visitors
through the door will
receive a goodie bag.
See www.connecting
0604.co.nz for more
information.